Antique (1918 or before)

This exquisitely intricate Totai Shippo piece is dated to c.1880 from the Japanese Meiji era (1868-1912 ).

Totai Shippo is the technique of applying Cloisonné enamel to ceramic believed to have been discovered by Sukamoto Kaisuke (b.1828 - d.1887) some time around 1868. Traditional Cloisonné of using thin wire or metal to contain different coloured enamels applied to a metal vessel itself is already a revered technique. Totai Shippo elevates the technique to another level when you consider the detailed wired sections of this piece is as small as 1-2mm in width.

This particular piece bears two 'faces', a panel on each side that displays the detailed design of butterflies, Chrysanthemums and Anemones in tones of Dusted Powder and Cobalt Blue, Oxblood Red and Apple Green. Encircling the panels are features of Sakura buds and blossom interwoven with the Teal patterned background. 

This excellent work of art makes for a superbly decorative and highly collectable art feature.

CONDITION
Very Good. There is age-related wear to the enamel and crazing on the non-enamelled sections that is commensurable with the age of the piece, please see photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 3.9" / 10 cm by c. 3.4" / 8.6 cm diameter (across widest point). Base diameter: c. 1.9" /  4.7 cm. Rim diameter: c. 1.6" / 4.1 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.2 kg / 220 g

NOTES
Jar will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Japanese Cloisonne enamelware is a technique introduced to Japan around the Tokugawa period during the 16th century.

Cloisonne or 'Cloisonné' are metalwork objects with decoration that is applied by creating separating sections using wire or thin metal. The sections are filled with different coloured enamels to create a visual image or pattern and the whole piece be fired multiple times to realise the colours.

This exceptional work of French Art Nouveau cameo glass is by one of the most prominent glassworks Daum, based in the city of Nancy (1878 - present). The Daum studio creates their art in crystal and remains as one of the only studios who use the pâte de verre process for art glass and crystal sculptures.

Designed and crafted in the 1900s, the form and glowing ethereal palette of this piece is a rare combination that has made it a feature in the dedicated book "Daum - Maitres Verriers" by Edita Denoel, (Edita S.A. Lausanne, 1980, p. 61). The base colour palette is composed of cool and faintly opalescent pale blue tones, which has been overlaid with the tactile golden-hued Zucchini leaves, stems, flower buds and tendrils in high relief.

CONDITION
Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs. There is mild wear to the surface that is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. The vase bears the Daum Nancy signature with the Croix de Lorraine mark.

MEASUREMENTS
Height c. 9.8" / 25 cm by c. 3.9" / 10 cm diameter (across widest point). Rim (opening) diameter: c. 2.4" / 6.2 cm. Base diameter: c. 3" / 7.7 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.8 kg / 825 gm.

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Founded in 1878 by Jean Daum, the studio rose to prominence during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco period (1890 - 1910, 1908 - 1935), capturing the attention and imagination of collectors all over the world. Daum would exhibit at Paris International Exhibition in 1889, a pivotal event which marked the birth of the French Art Nouveau movement. With leading artists such as Henri Berge, Almaric Walter, Charles Schneider and Jacques Gruber, the studio would go on to win their first ‘Grand Prix’ in 1900.

The studio continued its ascent to international fame around this time, which further elevated when they began to create their art with pâte-de-verre, a glass-making technique first used over five thousand years ago in the early world. Fueled by international success, the studio would broaden their range to glass art objects and enter into a period of phenomenal development. The studio revolutionised techniques by experimenting with materials such as acids, colour powders, fluorine hydrogen and enamel. Collaboration with leading designers was also a common aspect of Daum's exploration and creativity, working with names such as Louis Majorelle, Eugene Galles, Emile Wirts and Salvador Dali.

Today, Daum is well known for creating pieces in high quality, crystal glass.

THE ITEM
This intricately painted work is Cantonese Enamelware, a technique of hand-painting and firing enamel introduced to China around the18th century. Cantonese Enamelware is different from Cloisonne or 'Cloisonné' technique, which is metalwork decorated with enamel applied to sections separated by wire or thin metal.

This particular set comprises of a matchbox cover, two ashtrays and a storage tin made of copper. The set is rare as all pieces are decorated in the same design and colour palette. What is rarer is that although the pieces are in delicate condition, the wear on the decor is relatively light.

The design theme present on all pieces is the striking Lapis blue background which is overlaid with stylised peaches and peach blossom. The design is typical of the Art Deco and Art Nouveau period when design often included influences from the East. Each piece is further decorated with their own ancient familial scenes. The interior and undersides of the tin and ashtrays are decorated with a pale Turquoise blue.

CONDITION
Good. Apparent wear is present to the enamel of each piece that is commensurable with the age. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
- Storage Tin. Height (including lid): c. 2.2" / 5.6 cm x c. 4.1" / 10.5 cm length. Width: c. 3" / 7.5 cm.
- Matchbox Cover. Height: c. 0.9" / 2.3 cm x c. 2.3" / 5.8 cm length. Width: c. 1.6" / 4 cm.
- Ashtray. Height: c. 0.6" / 1.5 cm x c. 3.3" / 8.3 cm length. Width: c. 2.4" / 6 cm.
Unpackaged weight [full set]: c. 0.3 kg / 268 g

NOTES
Set will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

This exceptional and rare work of Art Nouveau, Art Deco art glass is by Bohemian glassworks Kralik. The decor of this piece is the well documented 'Draped', which as the name suggests, has the effect of draped fabric. The textured, 'draped' surface effect is combined with the gold-toned iridescence of the art glass gives the effect of draped Cranberry pink satin.

The piece is finished with a silver collar accent (hallmarked to Birmingham Assay Office 1903-1904), which complements its elegant bottle form and was common to art glass design during the Art Nouveau period.

BIT OF HISTORY
The Kralik glassworks, full name Wilhelm Kralik Sohne, was originally founded by Josef Meyr in 1815, in Bohemia. The factory was originally called Adolfshutte. When Josef died, his son Jan took over the company. By this time, the company owned four glass factories. Jan died in 1841, and his two nephews Josef Taschek and Wilhelm Kralik became the owners. The company name was changed to J. Meyr's Neffen, and when Josef died in 1862, the name changed to J. Meyr's Neffe.

Wilhelm Kralik died in 1877, and left the company to his 4 sons. The company was split in two - Heinrich and Johann took the name Wilhelm Kralik Sohne, Hugo and Karl used the name Meyr's Neffe. Meyr's Neffe merged with Moser in 1922. Wilhelm Kralik Sohne continued to produce glassware until World War II.

CONDITION
Superb. There are no chips, cracks or repair to the glass, there is the mild sanding at the rim that is visible as a result of the wear to the silver collar and is from the production process. There is a single bubbling measuring c. 0.2 mm which is from the production process and has been mentioned for completeness. There is significant and visible wear to the silver collar which can be left untouched for its antique charm or replaced if preferred. Please see photos as they form part of the condition report. The silver collar is hallmarked to the Birmingham Assay Office, 1903-1904, the silversmith mark is unclear but has been attributed as 'AHD', Alfred Horatio Darby who was active from 1895 to 1933.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 7.3" / 18.5 cm (from base to rim) x max diameter: c. 2.9" / 7.5 cm. Rim diameter: c. 1" / 2.7 cm. Base diameter: c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm. Unpackaged weight: c. 0.2 kg / 228 g

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.

THE ITEM
This subtly glamorous piece comes to you as a combination from many worlds, the ruffle neck rim and white milk glass, this is cased in a clear glass within which slices of turquoise blue glass has been incorporated, and as a finishing touch, trails of clear yellow glass has been applied all around the body.

Despite the indications of age, the colours and design is timeless and can easily adapt to a retro or modernistic room. I feel this is a sunny, playful yet elegant piece, with hints of a Summers day which has a cool light breeze and this is what it could bring to brighten up any room in need of these elements.

A BIT OF HISTORY
Unfortunately it's not been possible to track down the provenance of this piece, however, there are various qualities to the glass that can help direct us approximately.

The ruffle neck rim, the use of the white milk glass, the colour palette of the yellow and the turquoise and the inverted coarse pontil mark are all indicators of glass that was made during the victorian era.

As for the use of a somewhat primitive version of the Sommerso technique, it is relatively well known that the italian glass submersion Sommerso technique was invented until around the 1930s, however, that doesn't mean that glass artists before that time didn't experiment and innovate.
This piece appears to be one of those such pieces of creative experimentation and innovation.

CONDITION
Excellent, no chips scratches or cracks to the body of the vase, the base bears a chip to the edge of the pontil mark (A variable size type of scar or roughage left on the base by a pontil 'glassblowers' rod. ) which is completely not visible when the vase is upright, please see photos as part of the condition report.

MEASUREMENTS
c. 14" / 35 cm tall (from base to rim tip) x 6" / 15 cm wide (across body's widest point)

Unpackaged weight: c. 1.3 kg / 1,348 g

NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items.